Lee Jun-hyuk as Eun-ho in "Love Scout" / Courtesy of SBS
SBS series "Love Scout" wrapped up its successful run, but producing director Ham Joon-ho used the occasion to acknowledge and apologize for his past controversy.
SBS shared director Ham's reflections on the conclusion of "Love Scout," which follows Ji-yoon (Han Ji-min), a skilled headhunting company CEO, and Eun-ho (Lee Jun-hyuk), her flawless assistant.
Ham was involved in a 2020 incident in which he physically assaulted a pedestrian and committed disorderly conduct while intoxicated in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul. He received legal repercussions for the offense.
Producing director Ham Joon-ho / Newsis
Reflecting on his past, he issued a belated apology, saying, "I feel nothing but gratitude and remorse. Because of the grave mistake I made in the past, I caused trouble for the actors and staff who gave their all to this drama. I have spent the last five years in regret and shame."
From the moment he took on the project until its final episode, Ham said he focused solely on doing his best in the present. "Seeing the love this drama received, I vowed never to forget my mistakes and to strive each day to become a better person. That, I believe, is my duty to the viewers who supported the drama, as well as to the actors and staff who worked alongside me."
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: How do you feel now that "Love Scout" has ended?
A: I feel nothing but gratitude and remorse. Because of the grave mistake I made in the past, I caused trouble for the actors and staff who gave their all to this drama. I have spent the last five years in regret and shame.
From the moment I took on "Love Scout" until the very end, I focused solely on doing my best in the present. Seeing the love this drama received, I vowed never to forget my mistakes and to strive each day to become a better person. That, I believe, is my duty to the viewers who supported the drama, as well as to the actors and staff who worked alongside me. Once again, I sincerely thank everyone who supported "Love Scout" and apologize.
Q: What was your reaction when Han Ji-min and Lee Jun-hyuk were cast? How did you view their performances?
A: The pairing of Han Ji-min and Lee Jun-hyuk in a romance drama is a dream come true for any director. When it became a reality, I had only one thought: "I must capture them in the most beautiful way possible."
"Love Scout" shines because of the ideas and input from both actors. They always knew exactly which moments to emphasize and collaborated to ensure their performances felt fresh rather than predictable. They were truly "the perfect leads" for this story.
More than anything, they both share similarities with their characters. Han, like Ji-yoon, is confident yet vulnerable — a person of strong will but with a soft heart. Watching her on set, I learned a lot, not just as a director but as a person. There were moments when I admired her, thinking, "I want to be like her."
Lee, Eun-ho, on the other hand, is incredibly meticulous, thoughtful and intelligent in his work. At the same time, he carries a childlike purity that remains intact.
He constantly suggested clever, playful ideas while maintaining a serious approach to his craft. Watching him, I often thought, "If Eun-ho were real, he would be just like this."
Q: How did you visually express the contrast between Ji-yoon and Eun-ho?
A: I focused on the set design to highlight their differences. Ji-yoon's house was designed with minimal colors to create a cold, desolate atmosphere, while Eun-ho's home featured a mix of vibrant colors, evoking warmth and liveliness.
The office space at Peoplez — Ji-yoon's company, where the drama is set and they both work — was designed around a key visual theme: orange. Ji-yoon's fiery red energy and Eun-ho's warm yellow tones mix together, symbolizing how their contrasting worlds gradually blend.
Q: The cinematography was widely praised. What was your approach?
A: The core theme of "Love Scout" is believing in "the extraordinary miracles that arise from small acts of kindness." I wanted to visually express the feeling of a miraculous romance unfolding in familiar, everyday spaces.
Since we shot many scenes in locations easily accessible to the public, our staff and actors had to endure a lot of challenges. The Gwanghwamun kiss scene, in particular, was filmed under strict limitations, but both actors delivered an incredible performance. Amid the city's hustle and bustle, they immersed themselves so deeply that it felt like Ji-yoon and Eun-ho were the only two people in the world. Watching them, I felt immense respect.
Q: What was your focus when directing the romance between Ji-yoon and Eun-ho?
A: It's difficult to single out one aspect since every department and crew member contributed so much. However, from a directorial standpoint, I dedicated the most time to the music.
I wanted to portray their growing feelings in a way that wasn't rushed but also didn't drag. Music was key to achieving the right pacing. I requested that the composer focus on delicate solo piano pieces rather than grand orchestral scores. Thanks to the talented OST team, we created a soundtrack that enhanced the emotions without overpowering them.
Q: The use of hand gestures and silent "eye kisses" between the leads was particularly memorable. How did you approach these scenes?
A: During our first meeting, I paid close attention to their hands. I imagined how it would feel when their hands touched — what kind of emotions it would evoke. When Han Ji-min's small, delicate hand was enveloped by Lee Jun-hyuk's larger, more rugged hand, I felt that Eun-ho was symbolically embracing Ji-yoon.
This led to the idea of expressing their emotions through hand movements first, before they even exchanged eye contact. The cinematographer did an excellent job of capturing the subtle tension and tenderness in these moments.
Many already know this, but Han Ji-min's eyes are incredibly expressive. Her gaze shifts so subtly depending on the situation and emotion, which I wanted to highlight. If Ji-yoon is a character who takes the lead in all aspects, Eun-ho is someone who fully embraces and responds to her emotions. Lee Jun-hyuk understood this dynamic perfectly, making their chemistry all the more convincing.
The poster for "Love Scout" / Courtesy of SBS
Q: Was there a particular scene that you found most romantic or put the most effort into directing?
A: Two scenes come to mind: the drunk confession at the end of Episode 4 and the piano recital in Episode 7.
For the Episode 4 finale, the emotions and atmosphere were so perfect that I didn't want to call it "cut." The actors delivered such raw and beautiful performances that I wanted to preserve every moment. Even in post-production, I spent a lot of time refining the editing, CG, effects, music and color grading to enhance the scene's emotional impact.
For the Episode 7 piano recital, I envisioned Chopin's Ballade No. 1 from the script stage. It's one of my favorite classical pieces, and I felt it was the perfect choice to convey Ji-yoon and Eun-ho's emotions without words. The way the music, script and acting came together so seamlessly made it one of my personal favorites to work on.
Q: What kind of drama do you hope "Love Scout" will be remembered as?
A: I hope people remember it as "a miracle of spring. I want viewers to walk away appreciating how precious it is to love and be loved. As we welcome a new season, I hope "Love Scout" brings warmth and happiness to those who watched it. On behalf of the entire production team, thank you for your support. I promise to continue striving to create meaningful stories.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.